RESIDENTS' groups in Middlewich have welcomed Government plans to provide specialised sites for travellers in the town.

Councils could be forced to provide such sites under recommendations tabled by a Parliamentary Select Committee.

It is believed the allocation of land specifically for travellers who are passing through will mean they are less likely to camp illegally on sites such as farmers' land and school fields.

Tensions in Middlewich have become particularly frayed because of illegal camps set up on the historic Harbutt's Field and Pochin Way, which led to conflict with workers at Middlewich Industrial Estate.

Last year, farmers took matters into their own hands by spraying the area around travellers camping at a field on Warmingham Lane with slurry.

If specialised sites were introduced, police would also have the power to move travellers to the dedicated areas - at present, they can only serve an order forcing caravans to move on.

The sites would be open to travellers who want to continue their traditional roaming lifestyle. These 'transient' sites would be regulated to ensure they do not become too crowded and visitors would be encouraged to move on after a certain time.

Middlewich already has sites for settled travellers on Booth Lane and Cledford Lane.

Middlewich First leader Cllr Paul Edwards said: 'One of the things we do need is a transient camp, because if we haven't got anywhere for Gipsies to go it's hard for us to move them on.'

Andy Bailey, of residents' action group CW10, said: 'A transient site would alleviate a lot of problems in Middlewich.

'Travellers are part and parcel of the community and we have to accommodate them.'

Hughie Smith, of The Gypsy Council, gave evidence to the Commons Select Committee and said he hoped Middlewich could lead the way.

'Illegal sites don't help anybody,' he said. 'Over the years, legal sites have proved to be the antidote to illegal encampments. Middlewich would need to provide a transient site with good facilities, separate washing facilities for different families and a way for children to